Chapter 87: Heroine's Love Rivals
The room was alive with laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the warm glow of candlelight that bathed the room in a cozy ambiance. The four adventurers—Julia, Rina, Hima, and Olive—had claimed a corner booth, their table already littered with empty mugs and bottles as the night wore on.
Each of them had shed the serious demeanor they wore during their dungeon crawls, replaced now with the easy camaraderie that came with shared drinks and good company.
Julia sat at the head of the table, her long white hair pulled back into a loose ponytail. She was dressed casually, a simple white blouse that hinted at her toned physique and a pair of form-fitting trousers. Her emerald eyes were bright with a mix of amusement and tipsiness, a rare sight for someone usually guard and hide emotions.
Rina, the boldest of the group, was leaning back in her chair with a carefree grin. Her short red hair was slightly tousled, and she wore a sleeveless black tunic that showed off her muscular arms. She had opted for leather pants that hugged her legs, giving her a rugged, tomboyish appearance. A tankard of ale was held loosely in one hand.
Hima, was dressed in a low-cut, flowing dress of deep purple that accentuated her curves and drew attention to her ample cleavage. Her long blonde hair cascaded down her back in loose waves, and her blue eyes sparkled with playful energy. She sat next to Julia.
Olive, as usual, was the quietest of the group. She had her hood down for a change, revealing short dark hair and sharp, observant eyes. Olive wore a simple green tunic and brown leggings.
"So, what's next?" Rina asked, her voice carrying a hint of challenge. "Are we just gonna sit here and drink, or are we gonna spice things up?"
Hima, always ready to add some excitement, leaned forward with a grin. "How about a game of truth or dare?"
Julia groaned, already sensing where this was going. "Do we have to?"
"Of course we do," Rina said, her grin widening. "Unless you're scared, Julia?"
Julia narrowed her eyes at Rina, her competitive side flaring up. "Fine. But don't blame me if I make you do something embarrassing."
Hima clapped her hands in delight. "This is going to be fun! Let's start with something simple. Who wants to go first?"
Rina immediately pointed at Julia. "You're up, fearless leader. Truth or dare?"
Julia took a deep breath, her pride not allowing her to back down. "Dare."
Rina's eyes gleamed with mischief. "I dare you to take off your blouse and wear your undershirt for the next three rounds."
Julia flushed slightly, but she wasn't about to refuse. With a resigned sigh, she unbuttoned her blouse and slipped it off, revealing a simple white undershirt that clung to her form. She tossed the blouse onto the back of her chair, crossing her arms over her chest in an attempt to hide her discomfort.
"There, happy now?" she muttered.
"Very," Rina said, her grin still in place. "Now it's your turn to pick."
Julia turned her attention to Hima, who was watching the exchange with open amusement. "Hima, truth or dare?"
Hima winked. "Truth. Let's see what you've got."
Julia smirked, deciding to make things interesting. "What's the most embarrassing thing you've ever done in front of someone you liked?"
Hima laughed, leaning back in her chair. "Oh, that's easy. There was this one time when I was trying to impress this really cute guy. I tripped and fell into a fountain—right in front of him. My dress got soaked, and I ended up looking like a drowned rat. He was nice about it, but I was mortified."
The group burst into laughter.
"Your turn, Hima," Julia said, still smiling.
Hima turned her gaze to Olive, her playful demeanor softening slightly. "Olive, truth or dare?"
Olive considered for a moment, then quietly answered, "Dare."
Hima thought for a moment, then grinned. "I dare you to kiss someone at this table. Your choice."
Olive raised an eyebrow, clearly unfazed by the dare. Without hesitation, she leaned across the table and pressed a quick, chaste kiss on Hima's cheek. Hima, caught off guard, blushed slightly but quickly laughed it off.
"Well, that was tame," Hima said, rubbing her cheek. "But I'll let it slide."
Olive simply shrugged, her expression unreadable.
Rina, not one to be outdone, looked at Hima with a wicked grin. "Hima, truth or dare?"
Hima smiled seductively. "Dare, of course."
Rina's grin widened. "I dare you to lose the dress and join Julia in her undergarments."
Hima didn't hesitate. She stood up, giving them all a slow, playful twirl as she slipped out of her dress, revealing a lacy black bra and matching underwear. She sat back down with a wink, clearly enjoying the attention.
Julia rolled her eyes, trying to hide her blush. "You really have no shame, do you?"
"Why should I?" Hima replied, leaning closer to Julia. "Besides, it's just us girls here."
The game continued, each round becoming progressively more daring and personal. They teased and challenged each other, revealing secrets and sharing laughter that echoed through the tavern. As the night wore on, the drinks flowed freely, loosening tongues and inhibitions alike.
When it was Rina's turn to face a truth, Julia seized the opportunity to probe deeper. "Rina, do you have any regrets when it comes to love? Anyone you wish you'd handled differently?"
Rina's smile faded slightly, and she looked down at her drink. After a moment, she sighed and leaned back in her chair. "Yeah, there is someone. I like him but there is already someone way better than me with him, and he doesn't seem as love interest. So... Well can't help it."
After few seconds of silence, the conversation continued, the game forgotten as they talked about their lives, their fears, and their dreams. Olive, who had been quiet for most of the night, finally spoke up when it was her turn.
"I don't have much of a love life to speak of," she admitted, her voice steady. "But I've always believed that if something's meant to be, it'll happen when the time is right. I'm not in a rush."
Julia nodded in agreement. "Sometimes, the best things come when you least expect them."
They continued their game, and this game helped them to to know each other more and bond become stronger.
And, Three Butterflies Party become Four Butterflies. Rina official joined a party.